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When it comes to aging, you may be on top of your physical and mental health (in which case, kudos!) but one area that tends to be neglected is our eye health. Just like our skin or gut, our eyes could do with a little added TLC from the best eye health products as we inch toward 40 and up.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 24.4 million Americans over the age of 40 in America alone suffer from cataracts, or clouding of the natural eye lens — a number that increases to 50 percent of the population by age 75.
Glaucoma, a vision-threatening disease that damages your eye’s optic nerve, affects roughly 2.7 million people aged 40 or over, and age-related macular degeneration, which destroys the part of the eye that provides us with clear vision, affects 2.1 million over 50, increasing to one in 10 people by age 80. Overall, roughly 4.2 million have some kind of visual impairment.
Add to that the estimated 2.4 million eye injuries that happen in the US every year — 90 percent of which could be avoided with protective eyewear — and it’s clear to see that looking after your eyes should be high on your list of self-care priorities.
There are a number of clues that your peepers may soon be joining the ranks of those experiencing vision problems. A few things to look out for include the sudden appearance of spots or “floaters” in your line of vision, a dark cloud that settles over your vision, sudden eye pain or redness, double vision, blurred vision, poor night vision, or a sudden blind spot in your eye.
The Best Eye Health Products
Even if you feel that your eyes are in tip-top shape, prevention is always better than cure. Supplements can give you any missing daily nutrients your eyes might be craving, while protective screens and eyewear can save us from harmful blue light and chemicals or irritants.
We’ve done our research and found 15 amazing eye products, including eye health vitamins ($19.95, Amazon), protective computer glasses ($80.45, Amazon), and even an eye massager ($47.95, Amazon) that will keep your peepers in the tip-top condition for as long as humanly possible. Keep scrolling for FIRST for Women’s picks for the best products for eye health.
We write about products we think our readers will like. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the supplier.See more of our best product recommendations.
Packed with lutein and zeaxanthin — two natural vitamins and carotenoids (plant compounds), found in healthy eyes — these Puritan's Pride softgels are easy to swallow, have a pleasant taste according to reviewers, and, most importantly, support eye health to the fullest.
More than 500 happy reviewers have reported eye improvement since they started taking this supplement, with one writing, “I was getting monthly shots for macular degeneration... I no longer get shots… I now wear my four-year-old glasses because my vision is 100 percent better.”
Yet another explained, “This product has improved my night vision, so I am no longer concerned to drive in the dark.”
While most of us are aware of the benefits of back and foot massagers, eye massagers, like this one from Fronner, are less common. Designed to be placed on the eyes like a pair of goggles, this device features four gentle modes (energy, relax, relieve, and sleep) that use a variation of functions, including air pressure, vibration, heating, and hot compression, to massage the area around your eyes and temples. Not only will this machine soothe your ocular muscles and relieve eye fatigue, puffiness, and dry eyes, it will promote blood circulation and lessen headaches. There’s even a relaxing music option that plays nature sounds for the ultimate spa-like experience!
While its commonplace to protect your eyes from the sun with sunglasses, the damage that screen glare can do to eyes is often overlooked. Preliminary research from the University of Toledo states that blue light from phones and tablets may be increasing cases of macular degeneration. This Maxboost screen protector removes the phone screen’s harmful blue light to protect and relieve tired and strained eyes. It’s easy to install, is stain-resistant, and comes in a handy pack of three.
Also known as “artificial tears,” Systane's No. 1 best-selling ultra-lubricating eye drops leave your eyes feeling refreshed, relieved, moistened, and protected. Symptoms such as dryness, irritation, burning, stinging, scratchy, or "gritty" eyes, tired eyes, and excessing tearing are eradicated quickly and effectively after use — an assessment that more than 1,500 five-star Amazon reviewers would surely agree with. A 2014 MarketVision Research survey of more than 600 eye care professionals also deemed Systane the No. 1 doctor-recommend brand.
In addition to taking regular breaks from your screen, a curved computer screen monitor could also help alleviate stress to the eyes. The unique design allows eyes to take in everything at once, thus lessening eye strain. Asus's 31.5-inch curved Eye Care Monitor also features eye-protecting technology in its flicker-free blue light filter, which works to minimize eye fatigue.
Users report feeling the difference immediately upon switching from their regular monitor, with one Amazon shopper writing, "I have very restricted eyesight, and have struggled with a variety of monitors for some time now. Thought I had nothing to lose by getting this Asus Monitor. Eureka! It has made life much easier for me. I personally wish that manufacturers would describe their monitors differently."
There are plenty of eye makeup removers on the market, but not many that have been specially designed to provide relief from red eye, dry eye, blepharitis (eyelid irritation), eye inflammation, styes, or conjunctivitis, like Dr. Fischer's premium eyelid wipes. In addition to cleansing the eye area and removing makeup, these wipes are hypoallergenic, free of preservatives, and help prevent bacterial overgrowth.
One buyer explained, “These wipes have made a huge difference for me. They even work better than drops I've been prescribed. These wipes cut through the allergy gunk and even makeup, yet they are somehow still gentle enough that you can use directly on your lash lines.”
Blue light-reducing computer glasses have been proven to alleviate eye fatigue, dry eye, and eye strain, so if you spend more than an hour a day on your computer or other devices, buying a pair is necessary. These stylish GUNNAR Optiks Infinite computer eyeglasses block 65 percent of harmful blue light and 100 percent of UV, helping to prevent short- and long-term eye issues, such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Their design is slim and chic and they suit any face shape.
This Optix 55 eye mask with heat therapy is just the ticket for quick eye relief; just what you need after a long, hard day. Many reviewers have reported that this mask has greatly helped, and even cured, everything from blepharitis, pink eye, puffy eyes, and styes. It heats up in the microwave in just 20 seconds and provides soothing heat compression that lasts up to 20 minutes.
Blue light from digital devices can penetrate the cornea — even though your regular eyeglasses — and directly enter the macular area of the eye, causing eye strain and sore eyes, and potentially injuring the retina. A monitor glare protector, like this EZ-Pro anti-blue screen protector, blocks excessive harmful blue light from reaching your eyes and reduces eye fatigue and strain. It comes in eight different screen sizes, which range from 19 to 32-inches.
This box of vitamins from Bausch + Lomb is a great all-inclusive supplement to maintain your eye health. Ocuvite has an advanced formula that arms you with all the weapons necessary to stave off eye issues, including lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E. They’re small and easy to swallow, making them Amazon’s choice for "best eye supplements for adults."
We should hope that wearing safety glasses when woodworking or handling chemicals would be a given, but what about when riding a bike, playing sports, mowing the lawn, or clearing out the dusty attic? These clear NoCry safety glasses, which are equipped with anti-fog and scratch-resistant wrap-around lenses, are comfortable and non-imposing, and will keep your eyes safe from harmful dust and debris. They're fully adjustable with non-slip grips, and even have UV protection.
Ray-Ban’s RB4068 square sunglasses not only look good, they also provide 100 percent UV protection, drastically reducing glare and brightness from shiny surfaces, improving visual clarity, enhancing contrast, and reducing eye strain. They’re oversized and have a full-coverage wraparound silhouette. They come in seven different color designs.
Hands up: Who among us has rubbed their eyes while wearing mascara and found themselves with irritated, watery eyes? This wouldn’t have happened if we were wearing this non-irritating NaturLash mineral hypoallergenic mascara. Made from 99 percent natural, vegan, non-GMO, petroleum-, paraben-, mercury-, and cruelty-free (certified) ingredients, it’s safe, non-toxic, waterproof, and won’t make your eyes sting or water.
The say knowledge is power, and a great way to familiarize yourself with your eye health is to read about it from the pros. Eye Care Revolution: Prevent and Reverse Common Vision Problems provides all the methods, both conventional and alternative, that you'll need to prevent and treat eye issues, straight from a medical professional.
“This is a great book for anyone who is concerned about maintaining good quality eyesight,” wrote one reader, while another raved, “[The author’s] holistic approach to eye health is a breath of fresh air in the realm of allopathic medicine. I cannot recommend this book more highly for anyone seeking to improve their vision and eye health in a meaningful, whole-body, whole-being way.”
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